Korean Air has renewed its certification from the International Air Transport Association (IATA)’s Center of Excellence for Independent Validators in Pharmaceutical Logistics (CEIV Pharma), reaffirming its commitment to the highest standards in pharmaceutical transportation.
IATA’s CEIV Pharma program is a global benchmark for quality and expertise in handling and transporting pharmaceutical products. To obtain the certification, organisations undergo a rigorous evaluation by international experts across more than 280 criteria covering transportation procedures, storage facilities, equipment and regulatory compliance.
Korean Air first obtained the CEIV Pharma certification in June 2019 and played a crucial role during the COVID-19 pandemic by safely transporting vaccines and other medical supplies worldwide. The certification must be renewed every three years, and this marks Korean Air’s second recertification following 2022.
For this year’s renewal, Korean Air established a company-wide task force to review and strengthen every stage of its pharmaceutical transport process. The airline updated and refined its operating manuals, enhanced internal procedures, and reinforced inspection systems to ensure full compliance with the latest international standards.
The recertification underscores Korean Air’s robust quality management and operational excellence in high-value, temperature-sensitive logistics. It further enhances the airline’s competitiveness in the global air cargo market and reinforces its reputation for reliability and service excellence.
As a member of the Incheon International Airport Corporation’s CEIV Community, Korean Air continues to collaborate closely with the airport and logistics partners to improve the quality of high-value cargo transportation, including pharmaceuticals. Incheon International Airport is certified by IATA across three CEIV categories – Pharma, Fresh and Lithium Batteries – and provides strong support for airlines and logistics companies to further develop their specialised cargo capabilities.
